Fred Whitehurst, our gun care expert, shares his essential guide to proper shotgun cleaning and maintenance
Regular gun cleaning is one of the most important habits any shooter can develop. Whether you've been out on a shoot day, at the clay ground, or simply storing your gun between seasons, proper cleaning protects your investment and ensures your shotgun performs reliably every time you use it. In this guide, I'll walk you through exactly how to clean a shotgun properly, what tools you'll need, and why each step matters.
Why Gun Cleaning Matters
Many shooters ask how often they should clean their gun. My answer is simple: after every single outing. Even if you've only fired a handful of cartridges, moisture from the propellant and primer residue can remain in the barrels. This dampness creates the perfect conditions for rust to form, particularly in British weather where humidity is often high. Regular cleaning prevents corrosion, maintains accuracy, and extends the working life of your shotgun significantly.
Beyond preventing rust, consistent gun maintenance ensures all moving parts work smoothly. A well-maintained shotgun opens and closes crisply, ejects cleanly, and patterns consistently. Neglected guns develop tight actions, pitted barrels, and eventually costly repair bills that could have been avoided with basic care.
Essential Gun Cleaning Kit Contents
Before you start cleaning, make sure you have the right tools. A complete shotgun cleaning kit should include:
- Barrel cleaning solution – specifically formulated to break down powder residue and fouling
- Phosphor bronze brush – the bronze bristles effectively remove debris without damaging barrel steel
- Cleaning mop or wool mop – for final polishing and removing loosened particles
- Gun oil – for lubricating moving parts and protecting metal surfaces
- Gun grease – essential for chokes and high-friction areas
- Cleaning cloths or patches – lint-free materials work best
- Cleaning rod – ideally one-piece to avoid damaging the barrel interior
- Choke tube tool – for safe removal and installation of chokes
We stock comprehensive gun cleaning kits and individual cleaning supplies from trusted brands including Beretta, GMK, Perazzi, Purdey and Napier, all available to browse at The Sporting Lodge.
How to Clean a Shotgun: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these six steps for thorough shotgun cleaning after every shoot:
Step 1: Safely Dismantle and Initial Wipe Down
Always check your gun is unloaded before beginning any cleaning. Break open the action and visually inspect both chambers. Once confirmed safe, dismantle the gun according to the manufacturer's instructions – for most shotguns, this means removing the barrels from the action.
Wipe down all external metal surfaces with a clean cloth to remove fingerprints, moisture, and surface grease. This prevents oils from your hands causing corrosion and gives you a clean surface to work with.
Step 2: Apply Barrel Cleaning Solution
Spray or apply barrel cleaning solution generously down both barrels from the breech end. The solvent needs time to work on the powder residue and lead deposits, so leave it for at least five minutes. Some shooters prefer to stand the barrels muzzle-down during this stage to let gravity help the solution work through any stubborn fouling.
Step 3: Brush the Barrels
Attach a phosphor bronze brush to your cleaning rod and run it through both barrels multiple times. Use firm, deliberate strokes from breech to muzzle, allowing the bronze bristles to scrub away the loosened debris. Don't be afraid to apply pressure – quality barrels can handle it, and this mechanical action is crucial for removing stubborn deposits.
For heavily fouled barrels, you may need to repeat the solvent application and brushing process. You'll know you're done when the brush moves through smoothly and patches come out relatively clean.
Step 4: Mop and Polish the Barrels
Switch to a cleaning mop to remove any remaining debris and polish the barrel interior. Run the mop through several times until it emerges clean. This step reveals the true condition of your barrels – they should be bright and smooth inside. If you notice any pitting or rough patches, it may indicate early rust formation that needs addressing.
Step 5: Clean and Lubricate the Action
Wipe down the action body, removing any dirt, powder residue or old oil. Pay particular attention to the hinge pin, top lever, and ejector mechanisms. Once clean, apply a small amount of gun oil to all moving parts. The goal is light lubrication, not saturation – excess oil attracts dirt and can gum up the action over time.
For areas of high friction like the hinge pin, a touch of gun grease provides longer-lasting protection than oil. Don't neglect the ejectors and trigger mechanism, as these benefit from occasional light oiling too.
Step 6: Remove, Clean and Grease Chokes
Many shooters overlook this step, but it's vital for long-term gun care. Remove the chokes using the proper tool – never use pliers or improvised tools that can damage the knurling. Clean the choke tubes thoroughly, removing any lead or plastic residue buildup.
Here's a critical tip: when reinstalling chokes, use gun grease rather than oil. Grease provides better thread protection and, crucially, prevents chokes from loosening during shooting. Nothing is more frustrating than a choke working loose mid-drive or at the clay ground. Apply a thin layer of grease to the threads before screwing chokes back in finger-tight, then give them an extra quarter-turn with the choke tool.
How Often Should You Clean Your Gun?
I advise cleaning your shotgun after every shooting session, regardless of how many cartridges you've fired. Even a single shot leaves residue and moisture in the barrels. If you've been shooting in wet conditions, cleaning becomes even more urgent – water and gun metal are not friends.
For guns in storage, I recommend a light clean and oil check every few months, even if they haven't been used. Storage conditions cause condensation, and protective oils gradually evaporate or migrate.
Common Gun Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Over the years, I've seen several cleaning mistakes that can damage shotguns:
- Using the wrong brush materials – stainless steel brushes are too aggressive for shotgun barrels. Stick with phosphor bronze.
- Cleaning from the muzzle end – this risks damaging the crown, which affects accuracy. Always clean from the breech when possible.
- Over-oiling – excess oil attracts dirt and can seep into the stock wood, causing damage. A little goes a long way.
- Neglecting choke maintenance – seized chokes are expensive to remove professionally and can damage barrel threads.
- Using household cleaners – these aren't formulated for gun metal and can cause damage. Invest in proper gun cleaning products.
Choosing the Right Gun Cleaning Products
Not all cleaning products are created equal. Professional-grade gun cleaning solutions from brands like Napier, Bisley, and Youngs are specifically formulated to dissolve powder residue without harming barrel finishes or blueing. Similarly, quality gun oils provide the right viscosity for firearm lubrication – motor oil or WD-40 aren't suitable substitutes.
At The Sporting Lodge, we stock gun cleaning kits and accessories from Beretta, GMK, Perazzi, Purdey and other respected manufacturers. Whether you need a complete cleaning kit for a new gun owner or specific items like bronze brushes, cleaning rods, or premium oils, you'll find everything required for proper shotgun maintenance.
Seasonal Gun Storage and Deep Cleaning
At the end of the shooting season, your gun deserves a more thorough clean before storage. This involves:
- Extra-thorough barrel cleaning to remove all residue
- Removing the stock to clean and oil the action internals
- Applying a light coating of oil to all metal surfaces
- Storing in a climate-controlled gun cabinet with desiccant
- Checking the gun monthly during storage
This deep clean protects your investment during the off-season and ensures your shotgun emerges ready for action when shooting resumes.
Professional Gun Servicing
While regular cleaning handles day-to-day maintenance, every shotgun benefits from professional servicing every few years. A qualified gunsmith can strip the action completely, check for wear, adjust timing, and spot potential problems before they become serious. Think of it as an MOT for your gun – prevention is always cheaper than repair.
Final Thoughts on Gun Care
Proper gun cleaning isn't complicated, but it does require consistency. The few minutes spent cleaning after each shoot day prevent rust, maintain performance, and protect what is often a significant investment. A well-maintained shotgun will serve you reliably for decades and retain its value far better than a neglected one.
Whether you're cleaning a cherished best gun or a working field shotgun, the principles remain the same: remove fouling, protect metal surfaces, lubricate moving parts, and maintain your chokes. Make it a ritual after every shoot, and your gun will reward you with decades of reliable service.
Thanks for reading. For all your gun cleaning needs, including complete cleaning kits, individual tools, and premium maintenance products from Beretta, GMK, Perazzi, Purdey and more, visit our gun cleaning collection at The Sporting Lodge.
